American whiskey has never been more exciting. While legacy names like Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey dominate shelves, many craft distilleries across the United States are carving out their own space in the whiskey world. In 2025, these small-batch producers are not just experimenting with flavor, they are helping redefine what American whiskey can be. …
North Carolina’s Southern Distilling Company, has released its newest expression: Southern Star Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey. Crafted in a single distilling season, aged four years, and bottled at 100 proof. Distilled and bottled in-house in Statesville, North Carolina, the whiskey has a mash bill of 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley and honors …
Noted mixologist Molly Wellmann has been hired on as Master Taster at the Hidden Barn Whiskey. In her new role, Wellmann will be helping with the batching and single barrel selections of Hidden Barn Whiskey, as she builds on the tasting profile and batching style developed by Master Blender Emeritus Jackie Zykan. “Jackie got us …
Nevada’s Frey Ranch is a serious grain-to-glass, estate distillery, and now they have unveiled their new five grain mash bill in a single barrel bourbon. This the first-ever release from Frey Ranch that Colby Frey grows on his farm. With his farming acumen, Colby plants and harvest grains that are specifically destined to become whiskey, …
Starlight Distillery has announced the coming release of its first ever 10 Year Bourbon. From the heart of Huber’s Orchard & Winery, where seven generations of farming traditions run deep, this bourbon begins its journey with a large portion of estate-grown grains—meticulously harvested, milled, and sweet mash fermented before being double pot distilled on our …
Lancaster Spirits Company, a Scottish craft distillery located on the edge of the ancient Forest of Bowland, has embarked on a defining partnership with Max McFarlane, one of Scotland’s most respected whisky makers. McFarlane’s career of more than four decades in the Scotch whisky industry saw him work as lead whisky maker for brands including Glengoyne, …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- During the 2010s, Utah’s High West made a splash with whiskey nerds for their transparency. Although they were a negociant (or non-distiller producer, as bloggers who didn’t know there was a better term already in use in whisky circles preferred to call such a company), they had two characteristics that set …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B The most approachable of the latest Lock, Stock and Barrel releases (I wrote up their 21 year old rye earlier this month) is their new Vatted Rye. Frankly, I adore the name. It is borrowed from the now outmoded Scotch whisky terminology of referring to a blend of malt whiskies …
Jackie Zykan, the former Old Forester Master Taster turned consultant, is stepping away from Hidden Barn Bourbon. Zykan created Hidden Barn Bourbon in 2022, in partnership with Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar. In 2024, Neeley purchased Hidden Barn from the partners, with Zykan remaining as Master Blender and Winegar as Brand Ambassador. Winegar will continue …
Visiting Denver’s Grain-Forward DistilleryJim Shannon, host of the Bourbon Road podcast, traveled to Denver, Colorado. He visited Laws Whiskey House and sat down with founder Al Laws. This episode explores Al’s passion and the unique approach of his Denver distillery. They discussed the history of the company. They also tasted several of Laws’ distinctive whiskeys.
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